Dear Brethren,
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Exodus 14:15).
We have just entered into the new year 2012. I wonder what are your thoughts for the new year and also your reflections for the year 2011 that has just gone by and will never return again. I am sure we have our failings in the past year and some resolutions that were not met. Maybe some regrets too that we have failed to spend our time wisely and have done little for the Lord.
The exhortation from God’s Word for us in this new year is to “GO FORWARD.” The children of Israel had to face the red sea to move forward. There was no ship to bring them across the sea. Behind them were the armies of Egypt ready to destroy them. Indeed they were in an absolutely impossible situation to do anything but the command from God was “GO FORWARD”. When they took the step of faith and trust in God to move forward, then the salvation of God was clearly demonstrated in delivering them by opening the red sea. Imagine if the children of Israel had remained still and murmured about their miserable estate, the end result would be disastrous.
As we start a new journey for this year 2012, we must heed God’s command to “GO FORWARD.” Philippians 3:13 reminds us to forget those things which are behind and reach forth unto those things which are before. If the Lord Jesus tarries in His coming and we still have our breath, we will have 357 days ahead (today is 8 January 2012) to live. Go forward to be a responsible Christian student and worker. Make sure we do our best in our calling whether we are a student, worker, home-maker or retiree. Go forward and live a good testimony for Jesus that by our good works and testimony, many will glorify our Heavenly Father.
We must also GO FORWARD to be a better and more responsible church member. The Lord has placed us in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and we are His members. There are needs in the Church to be met. Go forward to meet them and volunteer to serve the Lord. Be willing to sacrifice more time and effort and even resources for the Lord’s work. GO FORWARD to show more love to others and be less critical. Consider others better than ourselves and be gentle to others.
Finally, GO FORWARD to improve in our spiritual inner life. There are sins to deal with and we must daily repent and mortify it. There is God’s Word that we must learn and we need to spend more time and effort to meditate and obey it. Go forward in having a closer communion time with the Lord Jesus and experience His peace and strength always. Join the Church prayer meeting to grow in your prayer life.
Wishing everyone a spiritually fulfilling year.
Elder John Leong
My Thanksgiving to God
Year after year, watchnight services came and is gone, I still do not have the courage to come up to give thanks to GOD for everything that He has done for me. I quietly thank GOD in my daily prayer.
Since 2004 April 4, through sister Kezia Lim, we came to Tabernacle BP Church and now it’s already 7 years 8 months and 27 days.
I have so much to thank GOD for.
First, I have to let everyone know that I am a person who tears easily and I may not be able to read my testimony out clearly. I spoke to sister Keturah and she suggested to get someone to help me read out “My Thanksgiving to GOD”.
I Thank GOD for HIS love to us, and also everyone in Tabernacle BP Church for their concern, care and love showered on me and my 3Cs.
I am not a good Christian, I have so much to learn and to seek GOD for forgiveness. Repentance is a key word but my wrong-doing stays with me still. So right here, I seek GOD to give me the strength and power to overcome my weakness and to repent.
I thank GOD for HIS unconditional love to my 3Cs and me. At time, I wondered if GOD will answer my prayers. Now I can loudly say that He does. I always think that if I have money, then I would not be in this state, but GOD provided another way for me. His answer came in the form of Elder John Leong’s help. “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat” Proverb 13:4.
Deep inside me, I am so much indebted to Elder John for helping me through a very difficult period in my life. Through my struggles, I can understand this verse much better, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Much had happened in my life. I was admitted to hospital for low blood count, low blood pressure and my mother passed away not too long ago. I had wanted to tell her that I love her and I am sorry for the way I handle the relationship with her but all’s too late now.
I want to thank sister Limei, brother Alvin and Elder Ho but I do not have the courage to thank them personally. I want to thank Elder Ho and brother Alvin for their encouraging words and care for my 3Cs; sister Limei for taking precious time to help me understand the bible better.
Once again, I want to thank brothers and sisters in Christ for keeping my family close to the LORD. May GOD be with you and have a blessed 2012.
Psalm 20:7 ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.’
Sister Veronica Tan